Greek Civilization. We examine and appreciate Greek civilization from its beginnings in the eastern world to its demise at the hands of Rome. We look at the only democracy--other than ours--to last over one hundred years. Our concepts of equality before the law and first considerations of social justice also begin with the Greek reinterpretation of Eastern thought. We explore the art, literature, and philosophy that still speaks to us and has meaning for us after two thousand years.

This year, we added a short section on how to recognize climate change in the archaeological record and added some implications of the drought of around 700.

"Classics in Translation," by MacKendrick and Howe. Abbreviated as" Mack.

"Ten Greek Plays," by Lind. Abbreviated as "Ten Plays."

REQUIREMENTS:

Two semester exams, first one 15%, second one 20%

TEN-FIFTEEN PAGE PAPER ON ANCIENT PASSAGE NOT OTHERWISE ASSIGNED 15%

JOURNAL ON ANCIENT PASSAGES NOTED BY * 10%

GROUP PROJECT 10%

PREPARATION/CLASS PARTICIPATION 10%

FINAL EXAMINATION, 20%

EXAMINATIONS. There are three examinations in this course. They have all been listed since the first day of the course. Make up exams are the RARE exception, not the rule, and are allowed only at the discretion of the instructors; such matters must be arranged in writing no fewer than forty-eight hours in advance of the regularly scheduled exam time. Only extreme, valid, documented emergencies are the exception to this rule. We have an honor code at Southwestern; it has always seemed unfair to your instructor that your inability to plan should give you an advantage over other students.
Exam Number One is February 4
Exam Number Two is March 25

THE FINAL EXAMINATION IS THURSDAY, May 7, from 8:30--11:30 (except for graduating seniors); the final exam is on material from the latter part of the class and is not inclusive (it's an exam, not the Olympics!).

TEN-FIFTEEN PAGE PAPER. This paper (paper topic due Feb. 16, rough draft due Mar. 6), due Mar. 30, is on an ancient work of literature illustrating aspects of Greek civilization. The topic, selected by the student, must be approved by the instructor in advance. It may not be, so do not ask, on any piece of literature assigned for course readings at any time during the course.Deadlines are firm, penalities assessed for each day late as well as for improper or incomplete footnote or bibliography forms. One day ends and another begins at 5 p.m., so 5 points late for each day rough draft, 10 points each day late for final draft. Ten points deducted for improper or incomplete bibliography; ten points deducted for improper or incomplete footnotes. Intellectual honesty is a path worth following.

JOURNAL. Assigned readings, marked by an asterisk (*) on the syllabus provide the material for the journal. Each journal entry contains:

name, dates, origins of author

very brief summary of ancient passage

short discussion of nature, value of source in giving us information about Greek civilization.

the idea behind the journal is to recreate an intellectual dialogue between the instructor and the student--we have a conversation.

due dates are on the assignment page, first pick up will be for information only. The journal will be done within the segue system.

This journal is graded on completion as well as a certain basic understanding--it is an easy way to get a 100 grade of 10% of your final grade--just complete it on time and following the instructions.

GROUP PROJECT. Students form groups of 2 or 3 to prepare a group project due the last three class meetings. The project will explore any aspect of Greek civilization not covered in class or a more in-depth look at an aspect of a subject in class. Each group will make a presentation of the project to class. Each group must provide an annotated bibliography with their presentation. They may present a power-point, or they may write and perform an original piece inspired by the class. Attendance is MANDATORY for all students at these classes--support your friends! You get to be Socrates, Archimedes, Sappho, or anyone else and get to teach us something!! Group project topic due date is March 11; Group Projects are April 6, April 8 and April 13; the project topics will be on the final exam so that your friends in class will appreciate any materials from which they may study!

ATTENDANCE. Students are expected to attend class. Lectures and discussions are not re-runs of assignments. Grade for preparation/class participation will be based upon attendance and upon participation in class discussion; class discussion means"quality" rather than "quantity." Class participation should reveal preparation.

Students should feel free to express their OWN opinions. Greek civilization, like all ancient civilizations, is only partly understood--much is missing and we make reasoned assumptions as to the rest. The important thing to keep in mind is an attitude of respect for each other, our classmates, and the ancient Greeks. For further information, consult the SU Academic Rights for students.

The dates on this segue page are carved in stone: the daily assignments and sometimes the journal entries will change, but the dates here are firm.

Summary of dates carved in beautiful Greek script on stone:

Exam One (take in class) February 4

Paper Topic Due (submit on seque) February 16

Rough Draft of Paper (no electronic submissions) March 6

Group Project Topic Due (submit on seque) March 11--only one member needs to submit; include all names of the group

Exam Two (take in class) March 25

Paper Due (no electronic submissions) March 30

Group Projects April 6, April 8, April 13-attendance is mandatory

Final Exam May 7, 8:30--11:30

The plus and minus grading system in effected at Southwestern will be used for final grades. The ancients were absolute giants in terms of math, science, and natural philosophy unlike your merely mortal instructor. If you feel that the grades have been average incorrectly, please do not hesitate to contact the instructor. Semester percentage averages will translate to the following letter grades (anything below 60 if a failure):

Grade

Inclusive % Range

GPA POINTS

A+

96.7-100

4.00

A

93.4-96.6

4.00

A-

90.0-93.3

3.67

B+

86.7-89.9

3.33

B

83.4-86.6

3.00

B-

80.0-83.3

2.67

C+

76.7-79.9

2.33

C

73.4-76.6

2.00

C-

70.0-73.3

1.67

D+

66.7-69.9

1.33

D

63.4-66.6

1.00

D-

60.0-63.3

0.67

How to contact the current instructor for Greek civilization? The instructor works part time and is on campus Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Office hours (Mood Bridwell 223) are one hour before class or by appointment, call 863-1554. ABOUT EMAIL: EMAIL ONLY GETS CHECKED MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY during normal working hours (8 am-5 pm). Do not expect that an email sent at 1 or 2 am will generate a response. Email seems to be a vehicle for many people as an opportunity to spew forth garbage, anger, or frustration. Please refrain from these emails--you may want to hold any emails for twenty four hours before sending them. The instructor PREFERS TO TALK TO STUDENTS INDIVIDUALLY or to READ HANDWRITTEN NOTES from them. Please take the time to make an appointment so we can get to know one another. It is really good that we respect one another and have professional discussions! It's a benefit of attending a small, liberal arts college that we get to know one another!

Our "Teach-In" Day on Climate Change. All universities are asking faculty to teach on climate change; well, in Ancient Athens starting around 700 BC, there was a drought, evidenced by wells being filled in. This drought caused a high mortality rate and effected public policy; so I've added information about this under the tab "docs".

NOTE: THIS IS THE DAY OF THE BROWN SYMPOSIUM AND THERE IS A LECTURE ENDING DURING OUR CLASS SO WE CAN NOT HAVE CLASS; you ARE STILL responsible for the readings and the journal; we will try to squish two lectures together on Monday.

AnctGr 123-147 (109-130)
Mack *Better part p.94, *Passion p.96 (just these short poems; one by Archilochus and by Sappho;
see the Archilochus section under the "docs" tab

***PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE CLASS; think especially about justice and the references to tyranny and "might is right". Think especially about the quotes on the webpage about the divine nature of justice.

ROUGH DRAFT OF PAPER DUE--no electronic submissions allowed; bring to class or deliver to Mood-Bridwell 223 by 5 pm--remember the more you work on this paper, the better your final grade will be. If you have never done footnotes or "sources cited" page (also known as bibliography), please try to do each and hand them in when you hand in your rough draft. You want your grade to be good, so work hard on the rough draft!!!